Contemplating Conjurors

Pulling back the curtain: MIT anthropologist peers into the mysterious world of professional magicians

To find out how the craft works, Jones spent two years inside Paris’ thriving world of magic. He acquired mentors, passed an examination to join France’s largest magic association, and has emerged with a new book about the experience, Trade of the Tricks, published this month by the University of California Press.

Not Affiliated with Möbius Strip

MÖBIUS

Twenty-one large triangles animated by Melbourne, throughout Federation Square. MÖBIUS is a sculpture that can be configured into many cyclical patterns and behave as though it is eating itself, whilst sinking into the ground. The result is an optical illusion and a time-lapse of people interacting with the sculpture and moving through Melbourne’s landmark location throughout the day.

You'll Only Look Like Stretch Armstrong

Mind tricks may help arthritic pain

“We were giving her a practical demonstration of illusory finger stretching when she announced, ‘My finger doesn’t hurt any more’, and asked whether she could take the machine home with her. We were just stunned – I don’t know who was more surprised, her or us.”

I wonder how closely this is related to the phantom pain solution of amputees